Iceland is not the usual travel destination: on this island half the way between Europe and North America, just below the Arctic Polar Circle, all natural elements coexist in perfect harmony. Geysers, volcanos, arctic storms, black sand beaches, midnight sun and aurora borealis. Iceland is the ideal destination for travellers looking for Nature’s highest expression, outdoor activities, but also for those looking for quite and relax.
For my Icelandic adventure, I chose to explore the island in style and comfort with Cozy Campers, which offers a wide range of camper vans from premium 4×4 models for off-road adventures to budget-friendly options for a more economical trip. Their campers are designed to ensure you can enjoy the best of Iceland’s stunning landscapes and unique natural wonders without worrying about the logistics.
My journey in Iceland started on a fishing boat in open sea, just out of Reykjavík Old Harbour. While I was waiting for sunset I gave a shot to open sea fishing, but with no much luck. The sunset was awesome, as for the fishes… well, luckily we had other means to feed ourselves.
From Reykjavík I moved further east and lodged in the wonderful Hotel Ranga, in the middle of nothing, with a stunning view from my room over Eyjafjallajökull glacier: an ideal spot to admire the aurora borealis during the freezing winter nights. There even is a special “night call” service in case the receptionist spots the aurora in the middle of the night.
For three days I tried myself in different activities, including a quod trip in Vatnsdalur Valley, an isolated land enriched by breathtaking sights, a four-hour ride through slopes, rivers, swamps, to finally get into cave and warm up around an improvised fireplace.
On a huge off-road vehicle – the wheels were taller than me – we arrived at the bottom of Eyjafjallajökull glacier, the one involved in the 2010 Eyjafjöll volcano eruption. The feeling was like being in a sci-fiction movie, surrounded by lunar landscapes. There was no trace of life forms, neither human nor animal. The only noise came from the wind and the glacier that, although unnoticed, is in perpetual movement.
To catch a full sight of Eyjafjallajökull – Europe’s largest glacier – there is nothing better than a tour by helicopter. It doesn’t come cheap but it’s fully worth it: flying over the huge glacier and arriving over the black sand coast and the rocky cliffs over the Atlantic Ocean is an unforgettable experience.
Renting a vehicle, whether it’s a car or, like mine, a camper van, is a fantastic way to explore Iceland on your own terms. In just two weeks, you can circumnavigate the entire island along the iconic Route 1, taking in all of Iceland’s most picturesque and charming locations. Just make sure to pack all the essential gear: in my case, I sourced everything I needed to stay warm and comfortable outdoors from Millet and Blacks, along with a trusty North Face bag for my adventure travels.
My journey ended in spectacular way with two waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Gullfoss, two unmissable natural marvels: the perfect ending for such a great adventure.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
It’s a shame that you never managed to catch any fishes, but that’s one incredible place to fish that you’ll never forget any time soon.